New Work - 2018
A collaboration between Frank and his granddaughter, Lucy.
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The Nativity
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DetailsOil paint on canvas, © 2018
SOLD |
The Ascension |
DetailsOil paint on canvas, © 2018
SOLD |
2017 Summer Art Show
ARTIST STATEMENT ABOUT
5 paintings: A manifesto of creative redemption in the age of Trump, fascism and lies
5 paintings: A manifesto of creative redemption in the age of Trump, fascism and lies
Why religion-obsessed art in 2017? Because in an era when Trump hijacked the white evangelical vote mimicking the bitter radicalization of some Muslims, religion is not just relevant—it is deadly. It must be examined and, if necessary, knowledgably attacked and subverted, resisted, obstructed, destroyed and replaced. Thus my paintings of late—and this book—are my personal effort to do my bit in what amounts to a war of ideas.
As we struggle to make sense of the outbreaks of political irrationalism in North America à la Trump and the resurgent European nationalists, and the devaluation of art and culture we risk missing the real message: when calculations of the good life leave out timeless essentials, they don’t work for long. Committed to seeing the individual self as a rational actor, we fail to see that we are deeply unstable and unpredictable spiritual entities.
My art 5 Paintings series expresses both my background of spiritual irrationality and at the same time my more recent and highly skeptical view of religion and all certainty addicts be they believers or atheists.
I embrace this paradox in these paintings not as a compromise but as a truer description of the actual human condition than declaring beliefs. This is personal. In these paintings I depict the Trinity as three old teddy bears. I depict Trump’s credit card as the harbinger of a tsunami of meaningless glitter overwhelming art. In other words I’m commenting on the irrationality of all religious beliefs.
I’m also trying to unashamedly paint what seems beautiful to me in the most detailed and craft-centric use of oil paint I’ve ever attempted. The titles may be my quirky answer to fundamentalist Christo-fascist absurdities, but the paintings are in deadly and (I hope) beautiful earnest. They may be absurdist and symbolist works drawing on my childhood experiences as referenced by my including my old teddy bears, but they are in the tradition of Hieronymus Bosch.
Bosch was a priest who dared to paint horrifying truths about the nature of spiritual struggle and damnation. My grandchildren are mesmerized by my Bosch art books. We encounter his hybrid creatures, his nightmarish scenarios, his religious and moral framework, and his pictorial versions of contemporary proverbs and idioms. Bosch would have understood why I began painting wooden Pinocchio dolls falling from the sky after Lying Trump’s election. Social, political, and religious symbolism was also his thing.
When the spiritual, paradoxical prime directive is thwarted, we lash out and do so (most ironically) by destroying what little true spirituality remains. We are constantly shaped and reshaped in our interplay with shifting social and cultural conditions.
I’m doing my bit to react to and fight the Trumpian/Ayn Randian greed religion we’re deluged with as trivial entertainments and silly religion bereft of craft and beauty drives us mad. We have become those who believe absurdities and commit atrocities.
–Frank Schaeffer June 11, 2017
As we struggle to make sense of the outbreaks of political irrationalism in North America à la Trump and the resurgent European nationalists, and the devaluation of art and culture we risk missing the real message: when calculations of the good life leave out timeless essentials, they don’t work for long. Committed to seeing the individual self as a rational actor, we fail to see that we are deeply unstable and unpredictable spiritual entities.
My art 5 Paintings series expresses both my background of spiritual irrationality and at the same time my more recent and highly skeptical view of religion and all certainty addicts be they believers or atheists.
I embrace this paradox in these paintings not as a compromise but as a truer description of the actual human condition than declaring beliefs. This is personal. In these paintings I depict the Trinity as three old teddy bears. I depict Trump’s credit card as the harbinger of a tsunami of meaningless glitter overwhelming art. In other words I’m commenting on the irrationality of all religious beliefs.
I’m also trying to unashamedly paint what seems beautiful to me in the most detailed and craft-centric use of oil paint I’ve ever attempted. The titles may be my quirky answer to fundamentalist Christo-fascist absurdities, but the paintings are in deadly and (I hope) beautiful earnest. They may be absurdist and symbolist works drawing on my childhood experiences as referenced by my including my old teddy bears, but they are in the tradition of Hieronymus Bosch.
Bosch was a priest who dared to paint horrifying truths about the nature of spiritual struggle and damnation. My grandchildren are mesmerized by my Bosch art books. We encounter his hybrid creatures, his nightmarish scenarios, his religious and moral framework, and his pictorial versions of contemporary proverbs and idioms. Bosch would have understood why I began painting wooden Pinocchio dolls falling from the sky after Lying Trump’s election. Social, political, and religious symbolism was also his thing.
When the spiritual, paradoxical prime directive is thwarted, we lash out and do so (most ironically) by destroying what little true spirituality remains. We are constantly shaped and reshaped in our interplay with shifting social and cultural conditions.
I’m doing my bit to react to and fight the Trumpian/Ayn Randian greed religion we’re deluged with as trivial entertainments and silly religion bereft of craft and beauty drives us mad. We have become those who believe absurdities and commit atrocities.
–Frank Schaeffer June 11, 2017
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On the Day the World Ended God Inexplicably Only Raptured All the Pinocchio Dolls to Heaven along with Many Pink Cyclamens but Left behind All the Christians
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DetailsOil paint on canvas, 30 x 30, © 2017
Price: $5,000 Please email Frank at frankaschaeffer@aol.com to purchase this painting. |
When the Manna Ran out God Inexplicably Began Dropping Cyclamens, Old Teddy Bears and Champagne on the People of Israel and Unintentionally Killed Moses with a Good Bottle of California Chandon
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DetailsOil paint on canvas, 30 x 30, © 2017
Price: $5,000 Please email Frank at frankaschaeffer@aol.com to purchase this painting. |
On Inauguration Day 2017 God Tried to Punish Donald Trump by Showering Him with French Carbon Steel Knives, Pinocchio Dolls, Assorted Rubber Ducks and Pink Cyclamens but Inexplicably in a Fit of Gross Divine Incompetence Missed Trump by Miles and Crippled an American Evangelical Tourist Visiting the Wailing Wall in Israel as She Posed for a Picture
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DetailsOil paint on canvas, 30 x 30, © 2017
Price: $5,000 Please email Frank at frankaschaeffer@aol.com to purchase this painting. |
The Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—Reveal themselves to be Three Old Teddy Bears and Bring a Rubber Stamp with Them to Replace the Bible about Which They Now Have Doubts. They Also Bring Champagne, Rubber Ducks, and a Shower of Cyclamens
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DetailsOil paint on canvas, 48 x 48, © 2017
Price: $10,000 Please email Frank at frankaschaeffer@aol.com to purchase this painting. |
THE TRUMP PROSPERITY GOSPEL: Two Evangelical Family Values Lying Pinocchio Sons of Bitches Invade My Studio and Vandalize My Art Supplies, My Pink Cyclamens and My Childhood Teddy Bears with Gold Paint by magically Using Donald Trump’s American Express Card, a Martini Glass and a Poisoned Pear to unleash Chaos and Sleeplessness into My Life
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DetailsOil paint on canvas, 30 x 30, © 2017
Price: $5,000 Please email Frank at frankaschaeffer@aol.com to purchase this painting. |
2015 Spring/Summer Art Show
All paintings offered here are half the gallery price.
Shipping and insurance included in price (US shipping only).
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A Clear Day Forever
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DetailsWe carry a bright reality within to take us past the night. Trust your feelings.
Oil paint on canvas, 18 x 18, © 2015 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
Resurrection of Joy
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DetailsFrom blood comes life, from life comes eternity -- meet me there!
Oil paint on canvas, 10 x 10, © 2015 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
Anatomy of Forgiveness
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DetailsEaster morning is no coincidence.
Oil paint on canvas, 18 x 18, © 2015 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
Daffodil Joy!
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DetailsI wait for spring then paint the gladness as it overtakes me… again.
Oil paint on canvas, 18 x 18, © 2015 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
Mortality Vanquished
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DetailsWhen I hold Nora (my youngest grandchild) I demand forever, I crave unending love.
Oil paint on canvas, 10 x 10, © 2015 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
Streets of Gold
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DetailsBeauty is the final non-negotiable reality: Intrinsic beauty is real! Trust me!
Oil paint on canvas, 24 x 24, © 2015 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
When God Dropped Flowers at Midnight
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DetailsI experience depression from time to time and grace pierces my night undeserved and always unexpected.
Oil paint on canvas, 18 x 18, © 2015 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
A Hope-Filled Spring Meets Ageless Roman Terracotta
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DetailsRome, Greece, art, love… when the present meets the past I see flowers tossed up against a sunbaked terracotta Roman wall! I long to share the joy!
Oil paint on canvas, 24 x 24, © 2015 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
Daffodils, Tulips & Narcissus in a Storm
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DetailsI look into my grandchildren’s faces and pray that every storm of life that overtakes them will end in the joy I wish for them… like flowers falling from a kind sky…
Oil paint on canvas, 24 x 24, © 2015 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
Iris’ Raptured by the Sun
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DetailsEverything returns to itself: From the Creator to us -- then offered back.
Oil paint on canvas, 18 x 18, © 2015 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
Studio
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Photos
Here is where I work, love and live. Thank you for looking at my work and sharing my life.
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Paintings Available from Past Shows
All paintings offered here are half the gallery price.
Shipping and insurance included in price (US shipping only).
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Dancing Tulips
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DetailsTo me my garden is alive! I imagine my flowers dancing, swirling, cavorting
in the wind. Oil on canvas, 18 x 18, © 2014 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
2014 Summer Art Show
All paintings offered here are half the gallery price.
Shipping and insurance included in price (US shipping only).
Click On Each Image To Enlarge
When Roses Fell From Heaven
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DetailsFor me this is a portrait of my grandchildren, the life they give, the love that tumbles onto me.
Oil paint on canvas, 12 x 12, © 2014 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
Roses Fall From The Loving Moon
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DetailsOut of a dark dream of judgement another vision crashed: Jesus dropped flowers instead of fire...
Oil paint on canvas, 10 x 10, © 2014 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
After The Wedding They Threw Daisies
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DetailsI always paint daisies in June, the flowers my wife Genie wore in her hair on the day we married in Switzerland.
Oil paint on canvas, 12 x 12, © 2014 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
Roses Scattered From The Sky
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DetailsSometimes the best happens, it's called grace, like flowers falling like a sweet rain.
Oil paint on canvas, 12 x 12, © 2014 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
2014 Spring Art Show
All paintings offered here are half the gallery price.
Shipping and insurance included in price (US shipping only).
Click On Each Image To Enlarge
A Riot of Tulips Ageing Gracefully!
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DetailsA Tulip, like a woman you love -- Genie! -- is never old, just new...
Oil on canvas, 18 x 18, © 2014 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
Tulips Touch by Frost
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Detail
My granddaughter Lucy brought me a flower touched by frost, "Save it" she said. I did, forever in a painting...
Oil on canvas, 10 x 10, © 2014 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
Tumbling Tulips of the Heart
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Detail
Tulips taken in the wind, to fly, to bless, to love... as if I'm swimming through flowers...
Oil on canvas, 20 x 20, © 2014 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
Daytime Moon for Lovers
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DetailsMagical moments abound over "my" river and Merrimack Bay. A place I take my hope from...
Oil on canvas, 18 x 18, © 2014 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
The Last Rose Saved
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Detail
Just before winter one last branch opened against a red sky...
Oil on canvas, 8 x 8, © 2013 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
The Last of the Tulips
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Detail
Spring is so short! When my last tulips begin to open and fall, I love them best...
Oil on canvas, 10 x 10, © 2013 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |
Narcissus Tumbling From Heaven
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Detail
My granddaughter Lucy loves the narcissus scent, she tossed some into the sky "For God," she said.
Oil on canvas, 20 x 20, © 2014 SOLD Email frankaschaeffer@aol.com about this painting |